ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The major focus of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) program continues to be a multi-agency approach toward implementing economic development projects in rural Pennsylvania.

Export Marketing Program

The Export Marketing Program provides value-added assistance to North Central clients that are interested or engaged in international trade. The major objective of the Export Marketing Program is to facilitate economic development through growth in world trade.

CONTACT:
Christine Perneski - Export Marketing Director
Phone: 814.773.3162
Fax: 814.772.7045

To look around the world to the Pennsylvania Overseas Office Network visit Overseas Offices.

For more information regarding the Export Program, please visit:
Export Website.

The program promotes a proactive retention and expansion strategy designed to identify business needs and concerns. It provides action through a partnership comprised of the Commonwealth, private industry, and economic and community development professionals.

CONTACT:
TeamPA/Loan Coordinator
Phone: 814.773.3162
Fax: 814.772.7045

The Loan Program is set up to support businesses for capital development projects that will create or save jobs. The loan programs can finance capital improvements in an amount up to $200,000, or 40% - 50% of the project cost, whichever is less. Businesses that are eligible to apply for financing include: manufacturing, industrial services, warehousing, distribution, tourism and agriculture.

CONTACT:
Patricia Brennen - Loan Program Director
Phone: 814.773.3162
Fax: 814.772.7045

The Entrepreneur's Club, organized as a component of the Department of Community and Economic Development's Entrepreneurial Network Initiative, is a forum for business owners to come together to be educated on topics of their choice as well as network with one another. More than 200 businesses have taken advantage of the meetings. Topics have included finance, marketing, accounting, cash flow analysis, and insurance. The topics are chosen by the participants based on their needs and interests. The club meets on the first Thursday of every other month at DuBois Holiday Inn from 6-8 p.m.

CONTACT:
Jill Amsler Foys - Enterprise Development coordinator
Phone: 814.773.3162
Fax: 814.772.7045

The Procurement Assistance Program is designed to increase the number of area companies receiving government contracts by educating management on how to market their products to the government and to offer technical assistance and support through each phase of the procurement process.

CONTACT:
Bob Imhof - Procurement Outreach Director
Phone: 814.773.3162
Fax: 814.772.7045

For more information regarding the Procurement Program, please visit: Procurement Website

The Municipal Technology Assistance Program is a cooperative effort designed to assist local governments in securing the IT (Information Technology) infrastructure and training that will enable them to offer local government services more effectively and efficiently. The program is designed to work with any office of local government that is interested in providing information, services, etc. to constituents via electronic format.

CONTACT:
Barry Mayes - Systems Marketing Director
Phone: 814.773.3162
Fax: 814.772.7045

ARC and EDA funding focuses on grant assistance to public infrastructure such as water and wastewater system improvements, industrial parks, industrial multi-tenant buildings, access roads to industrial areas, and other similar projects that promote community/economic development and job creation.

CONTACT:
Bob Rusiewski - ARC/EDA Programs Director
Phone: 814.773.3162
Fax: 814.772.7045

For more information regarding the ARC/EDA Program, please visit: ARC or EDA Websites

A Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) is a defined, parcel-specific geographic area designated by local governments and approved by the state as virtually tax free. Property owners, residents, and businesses benefit from little or no tax burden on these properties for up to 12 years. The goal of the KOZ Program is to revive economically distressed urban and rural communities with the most powerful market-based incentive - virtually no taxes.

CONTACT:
John Weible - Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 814.371.1506

For more information regarding the KOZ Program, please visit: KOZ Website

The DuBois-Jefferson County Airport Foreign-Trade Zone #254 consists of 337 acres of developable land adjacent to the DuBois Jefferson County Airport in Washington Township, just 5 miles from Interstate 80 and Genesee-Wyoming Railroad, with connection to CSX and Norfolk-Southern.

CONTACT:
John Weible - Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 814.371.1506
Fax: 814.772.7045

Keystone Innovation Zones (KIZ) are designed to improve and encourage Pennsylvania's research and development efforts, technology commercialization and entrepreneurship programs. The Keystone Innovation Zone program is intended to renew and focus DCED's commitment to creating new technologies and new entrepreneurs - using Pennsylvania's world class colleges and universities to deliver economic development opportunities throughout the Commonwealth.

CONTACT:
John Weible - Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 814.371.1506

For more information regarding the KIZ program, please visit KIZ Website

If you love birding, biking and fishing, head to the Pennsylvania Wilds and see some of the most spectacular scenery in the east.

CONTACT:
Bob Imhof- PA Wilds Coordinator
Phone: 814.773.3162
Fax: 814.772.7045

For more information regarding the Lumber Heritage Program, please visit:
PA Wilds